Posted on May 5: Ontario universities ready for double cohort students

McMaster University will do its share to accommodate double cohort students who want to attend an Ontario university this fall.

The University expects to enroll about 5,100 first-year students in September.

McMaster has committed to the Ontario government that 4,330 of the first-year class will be from the Ontario high school system.

“McMaster has always been committed to doing our part to ensure the double cohort class is accommodated this fall,” said President Peter George. “Our decision on how many students McMaster can accommodate has always been guided by the importance of maintaining a quality education experience.

“The Quality Assurance Fund announced in the recent provincial budget will help us to ensure students continue to receive the educational experience they expect. Faculty and staff have worked hard to successfully accommodate increased enrolment this year with the fast-tracker students and we will continue to work together to provide quality education and support services for students.”

McMaster will be ready to accommodate the additional students with an additional temporary classroom building that will be in place until September 2004 when the new Centre for Learning & Discovery opens. The University recently received $11.3 million in SuperBuild funding from the government for the construction of the building.

Dianne Cunningham, minister of training, colleges and universities and presidents of Ontario universities confirmed Friday that plans are in place to accommodate 70,000 Ontario high school graduates at Ontario universities this September.

“Beginning with our plan for students in the double cohort, we have clearly put Ontario at the forefront in Canada in building a postsecondary system that will prepare our students fo the opportunities of the 21st century,” said Cunningham.